KKK Member Walks up to Black Musician in Bar-but It’s Not a Joke, and What Happens Next Will Astound You

Daryl Davis is no ordinary musician. He’s played with President Clinton and tours the country playing “burnin’ boogie woogie piano” and sharing musical stylings inspired by greats like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. He’s a highly respected and electrifying performer who is currently an integral member of The Legendary Blues Band (formerly known as the Muddy Waters Band,) and he rocks the stage all over the nation.

Davis’ travels, of course, have always afforded him the opportunity to meet a huge range of diverse people, but perhaps nothing could have prepared him for the moment that would change his life.

It was 1983 and Davis was playing country western music in an (informally) all-white lounge. He was the only black musician in the place and when his set was over, a man approached him. “He came up to me and said he liked my piano playing,” says Davis, “then he told me this was the first time he heard a black man play as well as Jerry Lee Lewis.” Davis, somewhat amused, explained to the man: “Jerry Lee learned to play from black blues and boogie woogie piano players and he’s a friend of mine. He told me himself where he learned to play.” At first, Davis says, the man was skeptical that Jerry Lee Lewis had been schooled by black musicians, but Davis went on to explain in more detail. “He was fascinated,” says Davis, “but he didn’t believe me. Then, he told me he was a Klansman.”

Daryl Davis poses with his friend Jerry Lee Lewis.

Most people in this day and age probably would have turned and ran right out of that good ol’ boy’s bar, but not Davis. He stayed and talked with the Klansman for a long time. “At first, I thought ‘why the hell am I sitting with him?’ but we struck up a friendship and it was music that brought us together,” he says.

That friendship would lead Davis on a path almost unimaginable to most folks. Today, Davis is not only a musician, he is a person who befriends KKK members and, as a result, collects the robes and hoods of Klansmen who choose to leave the organization because of their friendship with him.

The road to these close and authentic friendships, Davis says, involved a lot of learning on his part. He’d had racist experiences and had long wanted to write a book about race relations, but hadn’t had the opportunity to sit down and talk to a Klansman. His upbringing was extremely diverse, and his first experience with organized racism was a shock. He explains:

I was raised overseas in integrated schools. I had had a racist experience already but I didn’t know people organized into groups whose premise was to be racist and exclude other people. It seemed unfathomable to me. My parents were in the Foreign Service and I was an American embassy brat, going to international schools overseas. My classes were filled with anyone who had an embassy: Japanese, German, French, Italian. It was multicultural but that term did not exist at that time. For me it was just the norm. Every time I would come back (to the US,) I would see people separated by race. When my father was telling me about (the KKK) at the age of 10 it didn’t make any sense to me. I had always gotten along with everyone.

When Davis decided he needed to write a book about the KKK, he knew he had to find the friend he’d made in the country western bar. Davis tracked him down eight years after they had first met. “I went to his apartment unannounced,” Davis says. “He opens the door and sees me, and he says ‘Daryl! What are you doing here?’ He stepped out of his apartment and I stepped in. He said ‘what’s going on man? Are you still playing?’ I said ‘I need to talk to you about the Klan.'”

At first, his friend resisted, saying he would not give Davis the information he was seeking. “He would not do it because he was fearful,” Davis says. “He thought I would be killed. I said ‘well give me the guy’s number and address.’ He finally gave me Roger Kelly’s number and address but he told me: ‘don’t go to his house; meet him in a public place.'” Davis immediately began making plans to approach Kelly, who at the time was the leader of the KKK in Maryland.

“My secretary called him,” Davis says, “and I told her, ‘do not tell Roger Kelly I’m black. Just tell him I am writing a book on the Klan.’ I wanted her to call because she’s white. I knew enough about the mentality of the Klan that they would never think a white woman would work for a black man. She called him and he didn’t ask what color I was, so we arranged to meet at a motel.”

That meeting, says Davis, was fraught with tension from the start. Kelly arrived at the motel with a nighthawk-a bodyguard dressed in military style fatigues-complete with a firearm.

We met at a motel, and I sent my secretary down the hall to get an ice bucket and sodas so I could offer Mr. Kelly a beverage. The room, by coincidence, was set up so that if the door opened, you could not see who was inside…Right on time there’s a knock on the door. A bodyguard dressed in military gear comes in with a KKK beret and a gun on his hip. Mr. Kelly is directly behind him in a dark blue suit. The bodyguard comes in and sees me and freezes in his tracks. Mr. Kelly trips and slams into him like they were dominoes.

I saw the apprehension so I got up and walked over and said ‘Hi Mr. Kelly, come on in.’ He shook my hand, the bodyguard shook my hand, and they came in. Mr. Kelly sits down and the bodyguard stands at his right. He asked for identification and I handed him my drivers’ license. He says ‘oh you live on Flack Street in Silver Spring.’ Well, I didn’t need him coming to my house and burning a cross or whatever, and here he is calling off my street address. I wanted to let him know not to come to my house so I said ‘yes, and you live at…’ and I said his street address. I made it clear-‘let’s confine our visit to this hotel room.’
But I had no reason to be concerned. One of his Klan members lived right down the street from me. It was coincidence.

The tension, however, continued, Davis says, and eventually reached a fever pitch.

Every time my cassette would run out of tape, I would reach down into my bag and pull out another. Every time I reached down, the bodyguard would reach for his gun. He didn’t know what was in the bag. After a while he relaxed and realized nothing was in the bag but cassettes and the bible. After about an hour, there was a very loud, strange noise which was ominous, and I was apprehensive. In the back of my mind, I heard my friend in my head saying ‘Mr. Kelly will kill you.’ I stood up and slammed my hands on the table, and I felt my life was in danger. When my hands hit the table, my eyes locked with his, and he could read them. We stared into each other’s eyes. The bodyguard was looking back and forth at us, but then my secretary Mary realized what had happened.

The ice bucket had melted and the cans of soda shifted, and that’s what made the noise! We all began laughing at how stupid we all had been. In retrospect, it was a very important lesson that was taught. All because a foreign entity of which we were ignorant, entered into our comfort zone, we became fearful of each other. The lesson learned is: ignorance breeds fear. If you don’t keep that fear in check, that fear will breed hatred. If you don’t keep hatred in check it will breed destruction.

After that defining moment, the meeting was much more relaxed. Davis became friends with Kelly and eventually went on to befriend over 20 members of the KKK. He has collected at least that many robes and hoods, which he has hanging in his closet. He also is viewed as being responsible for dismantling the entire KKK in Maryland because things “fell apart” after he began making inroads with its members there.

Daryl Davis poses with robes and hoods given to him by KKK members.

He says that KKK members have many misconceptions about black people, which stem mostly from intense brainwashing in the home. When the Klansmen get to know him, he says, it becomes impossible for them to hold on to their prejudices. He explains:

This Klansman and I were riding around in my car and the topic of crime came up. He made the remark that all black people had a gene that makes us violent. I said ‘Gary, what are you talking about?’ He said ‘Who’s doing all the shootings?’ I said ‘let me tell you something, I am as black as anyone you’ve ever seen and I’ve never done a drive by or a shooting.’ After a time I said ‘you know, it’s a fact that all white people have within them a gene that makes them serial killers. Name me three black serial killers.’ He could not do it. I said ‘you have the gene. It’s just latent.’ He said ‘well that’s stupid’ I said ‘it’s just as stupid as what you said to me.’ He was very quiet after that and I know it was sinking in.

Davis also became close with Robert White, a Grand Dragon in the KKK. “I respect someone’s right to air their views whether they are wrong or right,” Davis says. “Robert White was a Grand Dragon who had gone to prison numerous times. I said I wanted to interview him for my book. At first, he was very violent and very hateful but we talked for a long time. Over time, he began thinking about a lot of things he had done and said that were wrong. He quit the Klan. Toward the end he said he would follow me to hell and back. …and he gave me his robe and hood, and his police uniform.”

Davis recounts his experiences with the KKK in his book Klan-Destine Relationships. He says his friendships are real and intimate, and that he does typical things with his friends who are in the Klan. He has even served as a pallbearer at a Klansman’s funeral and attended another’s wedding. When asked about the fear many people feel when confronted with images of KKK members, he says “It’s just material. You have to address what’s in the person head and in their heart.”

Indeed, Davis says that the best way to break down barriers and improve race relations is for two people who disagree with each other to sit down and talk:

A lot of people have anti-racist groups. They get together and meet and have a diverse group and all they do and sit around and talk about how bad discrimination is. Then someone says ‘there’s a Klan group across town. Why don’t we invite them to come and talk to us?’ and the other person says ‘Oh no! We don’t want that guy here!’ Well, you’re doing the exact same thing they are. What’s the purpose of meeting with each other when we already agree? Find someone who disagrees and invite them to your table.

Invite your enemy to talk. Give them a platform to talk because then they will reciprocate. Invite your enemies to sit down and join you. You never know; some small thing you say might give them food for thought, and you will learn from them. Establish dialogue. It’s when the talking stops that the ground becomes fertile for fighting.

Davis currently keeps busy by playing in his band and touring the country giving lectures. He is planning a second follow-up book to Klan-Destine Relationships. He says there’s no need to be afraid of the KKK because at least they make their intentions clear, whereas racism can manifest in anyone, and it is often invisible. He urges those who wish to combat racism to reach out to those who have misconceptions about race.

I’m going to have to agree. There are immigrants who hold greater mastery of American English than American born blacks. If they can do it, we are more than capable. I too am tired of the lame excuses and low expectations for black people, by black people.

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What a beautiful thing to see retired/fired, KKK suits hanging in a closet instead of innocent people hanging from a tree, just because the color of their skin. Mr. Davis is certainly a man we could all learn from. His courage and will to step up to the plate, and settle racial battles by writhing out the issue with the enemy via “the peaceful route”.

The difference between a deeply mistaken person and a bigot, is not that they may hold truly horrible views, act on truly mistaken information or consequently due truly horrible things. The difference is that a bigot, when given the opportunity to learn something new, deliberately refuses to learn that new thing; preferring ignorance deliberately.

I applaud this work. My family lines are split by the issues of the Civil War. There are actually two family cemeteries where family having fought on opposite side of that war would not even be buried near each other. To my knowledge there have been three murders in my extended family stemming from issues related to the Civil War. The last occurring in 1922. Northerner’s have killed Southerners 2 to 1.

There is one family prayer that every one knows and family reunions are neutral territory. Disputes during a reunion are traditionally separated to the North and South sides of the reunion grounds.

A considerable mix of both accurate and mistaken information occurs across these divides. Talking about them, demonstrating what is good and what is not is very wholesome. This divide does not need to persist.

My intestines, literally my gut, is the same color as that of any other person. My hand is not the same color as this page. The only way I could actually be white would be for me to be ill or dead. The term White is itself a distortion of the truth and a racist designation itself. I ask no person to live in shame of who they are or where there from. But, more harm is done by not understanding the other person than is done through willful abuse of the truths we know about the other person.

Oh so a “true” klansman” wouldn’t be swayed? Does that mean they are right in their convictions or they are too stupid to be educated and learn to judge every individual solely on their own merit regardless of their skin color or ethnic origin?

This is just the kind of comment Mr. Davis sad to avoid. There is no need to throw around such hatred. I might not agree with the Klan’s views but calling them “too stupid to be educated” sounds like fighting words not mending words.

An interesting article that voices the underlying motives of race haters. However, why doesn’t anyone ever talk about WHY groups of people hate other groups of people? Why do we as human beings choose to hate each other, period? Why don’t we choose to love instead? Because we allow ourselves to be influenced by others who came before us to change our hearts and minds for their own purposes. A bully could never succeed at being a bully if the people around him did not support his violent agenda. But, the bully uses threats of violence and death to control the minds of the people around him (or her.) That makes him feel strong and powerful and then his reign of terror continues with the blessings of those he has under his control. It is a sick and twisted turn of events that must be stopped. Because in the end…WE ALL BLEED RED…and we all will eventually die. The God of this world is not racist nor is he prejudiced…HE WILL JUDGE US ALL…regardless of race, creed or color.

It’s a great story. I agree with the success of being open about speaking to what is going on inside of people with negative extreme views. I think there should be a larger forum for these types of healings. Healing is healthy. Healthy minds are the best service we can give our society or any society.

I really enjoyed this article and solely agree with the previous comments. I have been taught to never look at color just love the person no matter what, GOD is love and in order to make it in to heaven yes we Must not hate our brothers and sisters but love them to life. GOD said with love and kindness have I drawn thee.

Racial hatred toward another person must be eliminated immediately in any one, If they desire to be with Jesus for all eternity for hatred of any kind is totally unacceptable to Gods Law, that commands us to Love and not hate, we all have two choices, which are very simple, Heaven loving your brother or Hell hating your brother, no in between, no exceptions, where u will spend eternity depends on the choices we make in life, while alive.

No, Chrystal…There should Never be a Reason for that kind of Hatred! God does not put Hatred in our Hearts! The Past is The Past! People should learn from it and look towards our Future and making it better! It doesn’t matter the race of someone else…Don’t judge a book by its Cover..

WOW! THIS IS THE BEST ARTICLE I HAVE READ IN A WHILE! BESIDES IT BEING A GOOD READ ARTICLE, IT IS A LEARNING TOOL THAT MAKES THE SAYING: “READING IS FUNDAMENTAL” SET IN STONE, CONCRETE AND NEVER TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. THANK YOU MR. DAVIS (I WILL BE READING YOUR BOOK), THANK YOU MS. SAVASTIO FOR THIS ARTICLE, IT TRULY “MOVED” ME.

i notice that some “white’ people try to make it seem like there is mutual animosity.
Let us be clear who the aggressor is and who the victims have been. Black folks have not robbed, raped and terrorized the white community for 200 years

my point is that maybe in 1866 this may have been a useful good will gesture, but “Whites ” have to DO something concrete to eradicate racism and the effects of racism , a feel good ” mea culpa” is not enough today

You can’t control other people’s actions, no matter how wrong, one sided or unfair they are. You can only control your own. So why not make the larger effort when it seems that it would actually help? Because you may be right and they very wrong but how does that help anyone? So instead be even more right and maybe they too will become a bit less wrong.

People have terrorized each other since Cain killed Abel. The past is unchangeable. When people use the actions of others to fuel anger and breed hatred, they become as guilty as those who first committed wrong doing. If someone starves you, you cannot use that as a reason to then in turn starve someone else. Racism knows no bounds.It is in every race. Hatred is the doing of the Devil and he loves every minute of this. Vengeance must be reserved for God, no matter how quick we are to mete out our own justice. There is no one alive today who has been enslaved except by his own devices or by the hands of someone who would cruelly do that. The current form of enslavement is committed by all races as well. Love, like hate must be color blind.

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” – Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Klan is a terrorist organization, no different than the PLO or Al Quaida. What Davis has done is remarkable and compelling but it’s a dangerous example. Better, I think, for black head so off am I lies to keep a shotgun above the mantle for when the Klan konvenes in the front yard. First shot, rock salt, maybe. Or not. “Protect the family”, let that be the common ground on which you meet those bums.

Mr. Davis should go into the black ghettoes and talk to the young people killing each other. Talk to them about racism, try to talk some sense into them. They’re destroying their communities and making it really hard for white people like me to forget about that when i’m dealing with black people, or when i see one moving into my neighborhood. i grew up with black kids who had pretty much the same childhood as myself, similar if not the same family structures, and out of the 6 guys who come to mind, 3 are still alive and each of them is in prison. im sure if i dug a little i’d find that a lot of them are in similar circumstances. on the other hand, i managed to graduate and recently started a pharmaceutical company. lately being nearly 10 years ago…man time sure does fly. My point is made, there are a lot of young black people who need these conversations.

This article seems to impress upon the reader an effort by Daryl Davis to Improve race relations. I applaud Mr. Davis for trying to make the country a better place for those desire it. You cannot disagree with improvement unless you don’t want improvement. Book for thought: ‘From Superman to man’, by J. A. Rogers

There is no co exist. Your twisted if you think peace will ever be equal in the race game. Al Sharpton should be the next black to be shot. He creates more problems than he is worth. Can’t we all just hate the muslems who want to kill americans

for all the feel good sentiments, the dynamics of this encounter are the same old white superiority complex, (Black entertainer performing white music for white folks at the white folks club) making amends for white folks bad behaviour

tesmith47, you think Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters are white musicians? You clearly know very little.
As Martin Luther King Junior said, “hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” I’m not saying that we should necessarily love klansmen, but if we treat them like people and actually converse with them, we’ll have a much better chance of driving out hate.

a lot of the thinking here is a part of the problem, all of the hatred and abuse started with White folks (from lynching to the century s long rape of Black women) and has been perpetuated by White society( laws against marriage, laws against home loans, farm loans, unequal schools , red lining etc) . but White folks talk as though Black folks have equally abused the White population!!!!!

it is funny how some White folks here talk as though Blacks and whites are equally responsible for the hatred. when the fact of the matter is that Blacks have tried turning the other cheek for a very long time but Whites continue to abuse their position of majority power in every phase of life, and then act like they dont understand when Blacks rebel!!!

That’s an outstanding story and an extraordinary man. When you think about what he’s done and his method it hearkens back to the real civil rights leaders ala MLK Jr – not the likes of Jackson and Sharpton who are making their living off of promoting continuation of racial hatred and mistrust.

Imagine…..if each and every one of us would accept others regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or beliefs. If we refused to “judge each book by its’ cover” but instead, read the book before deciding if it was worth the read or not? How far could the human species advance if we all had respect for one another? How much suffering, starvation and hardship could be eliminated? If we could all live in peace and work together for the common good. Not one of us can choose what life we are born into, but we can choose how we live that life.

When I was a kid a very wise woman told me that she had never seen a black person, nor had she ever seen a white person. Every person she had ever seen was some shade of brown and she refused to define people any finer than that. I have always lived by that reasoning.

Why do the people who have to deal with devils and racist have to always be the bigger person…. i say death to all of them…anyway time will also tell the tell about who’s genes are superior than the others…you don’t get white from black….black trumps all colors….you put black in anything in natural and it will be black…..

Actually, you move further away from the black of the “blackness” added, and further away from the white of the “whiteness” added, into something between the two, usually. What you’re saying is propaganda aimed at making one race (your own, presumably) feel better, and the other (the white one, presumably) feel worse. The “purity” of each gets diluted. But that is only a bad thing if you think that the other part of the mix is bad.

Because any time you want a problem solved or an ignorance erased, SOMEONE has to be the bigger person and take time to educate and solve that problem!!!! You can’t erase ignorance with hate, it only breeds more ignorance!!!!! ON BOTH SIDES.

so… how does wanting to kill them and saying Black trumps all colors any better then what they say or do? what makes you better or more right them them? (also Black is an absence of color and White is all the colors of the visible spectrum combined from a science stand point and in art mixing black into different colors will lead to a darker shade of the color e.g Green+Black= Dark Green)

“I was raised overseas in integrated schools. I had had a racist experience already but I didn’t know people organized into groups whose premise was to be racist and exclude other people. It seemed unfathomable to me.” um, ADOLF HITLER…!

Well recently,some very famous bigot had his DNA run and it determined him to be 16%
black. It didn’t make him a different person in this world, just a bit wiser and feeling rather stupid. Just goes to show you.

I am also very impressed with his courage, determination, his willingness to face the unknown, making plans to face unknown territory of the KKK. My belief is we are all created equally in God’s eyes and color of anyone’s skin does not dictate charater, moral, beliefs, kindness toward others, honesty, and such. I am white and love people of all nationalities, because I know my God loves them. I am proud of you Davis and I truly believe you are an instrument God is allowing to break racist barriors. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE

An interesting piece that does a good job of looking into people, and not the mindset. Humans can get along once they stop listening to and being influenced by others. Sadly society and a corrupt political and educational system will never let things rest.

I’m a half breed, white, Hispanic, and Chinese (yes, that’s correct) I’ve been a performing Sax/flute player since the late 70’s, I’ve played and toured with some of the biggest names in Music, (Abraham Laboriel, John Tesh, Johnny Rivers, Cactus Moser Wynonnas husband and drummer), I’ve seen racism of all kinds, from whites in the south, to a Hispanic preacher who cursed at a trumpet player and myself at an event in L.A., racism knows no color, Blacks who think it’s only whites that are racist know themselves that’s not true, and Hispancs that say whites are the only racists are not speaking the truth, how do I know this?, because I have Hispanic relatives myself that are some of the most racist people I’ve ever met, Yes, I’ve met white racists in the south in my travels as a musician, but, and if people are truly honest,they know that it’s not just white people that can be very racist…

I am absolutely impressed with this article. It give us such hope that people’s opinions and thoughts can be changed. After all it s a learned or trained thought process. Although it still exist, barriers are being broken in racism. It’s so sad for children and adults slike to be held back because of ignorance. Keep up the great work Mr Davis. Can’t wait to read the book.

look i know a few KKK memebers and there really not all that bad i also have black cousins and a brother in law who is black along with a niece who is half black and the memebers of the KKK that i know also know my family and nobody has died i think everyone has the wrong idea about the KKK

It’s hard for me to read posts riddled with gramatical, punctuation, and spelling errors and take the person who wrote them seriously. You should really read over your responses once before posting them.

I heard Daryl tell this story at Blues Week in Elkins, WV and he has so much forgiveness in his heart but Louisiana Red said he had let these fellows off to easy because when he was a young boy he came home from school and found his mom and dad dead in the back yard !
Bill Dailey

Many on your list are not Serial Killers. Many are spree killers, contract killers, members of gangs, members of religious organizations. While some of course are Serial Killers, I am just wondering why you lump them all together?

What’s your point? Honestly? Most people couldn’t name you that many serial killers full stop, and he knew at the time that the Klansman in question wouldn’t be able to. Your encylopedic knowledge of serial killers isn’t really relevant – only the point behind his question was.

KKK has gone from what it once was thought of being. I grew up in the deep south where KKK were very prevalent and for burning crosses and the like. Many times going to school we would see crosses burning in yards we knew to be of black folk. they (KKK) are no longer of that type. Yes there are skinheads that proclaim to be KKK and spout hatred for all that are not white so to speak and they do nothing but try to put fear into all those that don’t fit. Try doing that with that type people or better yet since it is a race thing now find a mala noche king pin and try talking to him also.

No he didn’t. Obama came and racists freaked out. Remember Obama was the one who set up the beer summit, and said we should talk about race. That’s fighting against racial divide. I mean for crying out loud he’s half-white and half-black! I disagree with a lot of the things he’s done but the one thing he’s done right is handling race, which makes sense since his parents wouldn’t even have been able to get married not too long ago. The only people who have promoted racial divide during his presidency are white racists who can’t handle the fact that our country is becoming more diverse.

I am intrigued by this as well, and I love the positive air about it but am left wondering about some of the experiences he had that did not end in friendship. Surely not all of his encounters and relationships were so friendly?

Sum up the nerve and change your life as well as those you encounter! Whites (as I happen to be) as well as blacks should allow themselves (enjoy the privilege) to get to know … really know… others. Not for “diversity’s” sake, or superficially, as in, “Some of my best friends are black.” but because you’ll discover that we are of one race the human race. or as Albert Murray wrote, we are all “Omni-Americans.”

For years I went to a nursing home with my cat and visited with people. All I was thinking was I want to give time to people who don’t have anyone. I’m one of those people you know is gay the moment we meet, and every so often someone would ask me if I was married and I’d say no. When they asked why I’d say, Its against the law. I never did anything other than be myself and let them have time to pet a worm loving animal, but you’d be surprised how many of them changed their views on LGBT rights because of 2 hours a week.

I’m a little guilty of prejudice against gays but every time I take the time to talk to the person, i always see that they are really just another person and a good one. I used to believe it was a choice that could be overcome but now lean towards that it’s about being born that way. I’m a guy so I can understand women with women b/c I like what they like, but i still can’t fathom men with men….but I have accepted it. Still not for marriage but that’s another more political view.

How can you read that article and then react this way to Kevin? he might not be wholly on-board with the beliefs you and I share, but he’s obviously not “disgusting”. I might consider him to be a bit silly or backward in his beliefs (no offence, Kevin, just being frank), but he’s treating people like people and he deserves a more polite dialogue than that.

Thank you!!! Darian C.A.Hart!!! I agree, Kevin like all of us is growing or trying to grow…and this should be appreciated dearly; a lot of people haven’t got the courage or the heart to do so…well down Kevin!!! And Darian too!!!
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO…NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO…to you all from Joel!!!

I think that you are trying to change your way Kevin and that’s great! To see people as a whole person with different views, feelings, wants, needs, and desires, it’s not easy in this world that mocks what it does not understand and hates those who are different, on a regular basis. I do not think you are disgusting. I think you are ok… you are trying to overcome what has probably been ingrained in your since childhood. it’s not easy to question what you think to be true and change the way you think. Keep movong forward make friends from the walks of life which you do not understand. It will give you understanding that you’ve never had before. Much in the way that the Klansmen and David did here in this story. “Secret”: just as you expect tolerance and acceptance in others you must give it yourself and understand that people come from different backgrounds and upbringings and not all of them are tolerant or liberal. Some are very repressive and / or conservative.
Great article. I think this is a great example of how we can bring people together and expand minds.

There are some very profound statements in what Davis says. Some universal truths. They apply to any country or group who thinks of anyone different as “other.” When a country, group or person thinks they are superior it leads to oppression and then fear. Truth is thrown out of the window.

Republican candidates should go into black churches and communities to campaign using the exact same tactics. I do business in a lot of black communities. I am amazed at how conservative the people are in their daily lives, religion and in the raising of their children yet there is a disconnect when it comes to votes. The Democrat Party has made Conservatives the Bogie Man and it’s time we show them who the real threat to their success is. Liberals don’t want blacks to be successful. They only want their votes. Consider how the native Americans have been treated by big government and ask yourself if blacks have been treated that much better.

As a person of color I’ve had similar experiences with members of the Klan, Neo-nazis, and others. My novel “Memoirs of an Extraterrestrial, the negro Conundrum” is a fascinating look at race and what it means to be human. It’s available on Amazon under my pen name; H. P. Stanly, check it out.

This story sets a great example for all of us beyond race relations and into our everyday lives. Mr. Davis’ actions are wonderful but not extraordinary or beyond the grasp of anyone to achieve. We all have fear and hatred about some person or situation and we all have a choice to confront whatever it is with love and acceptance. Whenever this is done, miracles follow, festering wounds are healed and love flourishes. Let us all try this uncommon path and discover what gifts await.

Daryl Davis is right . ” AND what I say to the ones that yell like what they do is Excusable and not bad . ” when they GET RID OF THEIR OWN FAMILY FOR MONEY . I guess they fool themselves that Black People use guns and just do it ….. AND they try to HIDE WHAT THEY DO .

That’s bull so people can name white serial killers but not black serial killers off the top of the head… I cant name any serial killers other than HH Holmes and thats only cause I live in Chicago and he is the most known serial killers of Chicago. I dont even know anything abt the ones you named let alone the ones the guy named but just because you dont or do know them doesnt mean he had to google it.

That’s what you got from this article? First of all these relationships span many years back. Coral Wallace wasn’t arrested until 82 and Henry Louis much later so they might not have been known names. His point is that it’s stupid to claim blacks have a killing gene.

Daryl has my sincere admiration , he inspires a belief that social cohesion is possible through conversational discourse wich leads to education , I hope that this can be achieved in the uk by people fearfully of the change in communities through immigration ! Personally I believe diversity enriches society – thank you Daryl 🙂

Incredible courage! And very well done! I wish my cousin, Clifford J. DURR were here still to read of this Amazing heroism and huge heart, intelligence, diplomacy and musicianship! !!!!!! Clifford Durr was the Rhodes Scholar attorney that defended Rosa Parks in the first Civil Rights case in Montgomery, Alabama and who advised Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING on the bus boycott and etc. He would have been very impressed and possibly joyously amused by the Incredible results achieved!!!!!!! Linda Houghten.

Hate, racism and prejudism are all learned behaviors. A baby will smile at anyone no matter what race or belief. From their innocence is bred the believes of the people that surround them. No human is born with these traits or hate in their hearts, this is learned behavior and can be unlearned. I view Davis to be a teacher taking the time to re-educate people steered down the wrong road, lost in their travels through life, he gives directions to get back on the right road. Refreshing!!!!

That’s actually not true. Many studies show that babies come with a certain sense of moral absolutism, but instead being defined as being “Us” and “Them”. If you acclimate yourself into the baby’s definition of “Us” by being a parent, friend of the family or someone they see constantly the baby will add you to the “Us” instead of “Them”. Most babies show aggression or fear to things that are not like them.The interesting thing is this doesn’t really apply to race. A baby is more likely to have a negative reaction to a baby that has a different shirt on, as opposed to a different skin colour. I personally believe that prejudice begins when our parents or life never nurture us beyond the “Us” vs “Them” ideology.

That’s bscause he was chosen by God to intercede for that moment and guys that met had somewhere in their minds wanted to be free from that bondage that was taught to them so, it no coincidence that happened it’s just moments in life that God designed for us to change for the good of man. Just be ready to act!!

This is an extraordinary story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Daryl Davis has the gift of instilling peace and understanding in situations that might otherwise be filled with hate and animosity. He embodies the wisdom and sensitivity that comes from exposure to other cultures. I also applaud the x-Klan members. Change is really, really hard especially when it requires confronting one’s own racism, bigoted belief systems and its supporting infrastructure that has all been in place for hundreds of years. America’s racial history is complicated, painful and on-going. This article, the story of these men, give me a glimmer of hope for our future.

Thank you Daryl for your courage and for holding to the universal love within you. The message is simple, as you said, “…ignorance breeds fear. If you don’t keep that fear in check, that fear will breed hatred. If you don’t keep hatred in check it will breed destruction.” And you’ve shown that ignorance is diminished by education, especially informal education in a social context. Through your courage you have stayed true to Shakespeare’s mantra, “this above all, to thine own self be true”.

What I have found among men is that if you are true to what you believe and walk with courage and conviction, you will be respected by other men no matter what your color or theirs. I had a boss who was a klansman, We had a confrontation about how I was being treated in the workplace and I was firm about my convictions even in the face of being fired. He acknowledged my position and gave me leeway to correct. He showed his respect for me by allowing me privileges he didn’t even allow White workers. True men, men with a standard of conduct and a code of honor, respect other men who honor that code of conduct.

Great story and thanks to Daryl for his role at bringing people like those he interviewed with a very person that they feared most. Good for him and the work that he is doing besides the music. I especially liked his comment that when “two enemies are talking, they are not fighting. This world needs more Daryl’s.

Loved it! Great story and very inspiring, I have nothing against the Klan, and my hat is tipped to any man that can sit down with another man different than himself in appearance, and have an intelligent conversation, even if they agree to disagree….. While at work, I try to save as many lives as I can, regardless to person, all blood is red. I want folk to go home to their loved one’s

This is a really uplifting story, but please don’t diminish Mr Davis’ achievement by saying he was sent by God. How much more heroic and inspiring to have done it on his own, with no spiritual help whatsoever? And thank you, Rebecca, for a great article.

Remarkable! Just think how people can come together on multiple fronts? Today there are too many people of all races trying to divide rather then seek some common ground for all of mankind. Some of those idiots are: Sara Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Shawn Hanity, Allen West, not be consused with Cornell West, Ann Coulter, and the list goes on and on. Most people are too ignorant to realize all these folks do is stir the pot and make a lot of money by doing so. They get on a speaking point and get a bunch of fools to donate or through sponsors line their pockets. There is nothing constructive that comes from what they spew.

So would you sit down with some of the media people and politicians that you hate, and actually talk to them? Or are you content to just sit there and hate them? Because if you are, you’re going directly against the spirit of what Mr. Davis did.

The division that the people you mention create has little or nothing to do with race. It is a division of ideology. Unfortunately, the fact remains that there is little common ground between a Constitutionalist and a Democrat these days.

I read the story and was almost into tears I feel like what Mr.Davis did was a wonderful thing we r all put here on this earth with different task God makes no mistakes and what Mr.Davis did was a task he was sent by God to do so thank u Mr.Davis but most of all praise the Lord for putting people like him in this world it wouldnt hurt to have more of them this world could really use it.

I knew Daryl in high school in Rockville, Maryland. We shared a love of music, particularly rock and roll. I knew he had played with some of the fifties superstars, but I had no idea about this part of his life.

Yes. How dare “some blacks” approach racists and turn them into non-racists! Clearly, that is a mindless.

Seriously, though. This guy takes actions that lead to the /dismantling of an entire chapter of the KKK/ and you respond like he’s some sort of traitor? Do you value your victim status more than you value actual progress? Because that’s sure what it seems like.

“Music — Universal Language” is the motto inscribed on the old seal of the formerly named Armed Forces School of Music, on the even older seal of the previous Navy School of Music, and on the new seal of the currenty named Naval School of Music.

Well, Raquel, when they give up the lifestyle, that’s when they turn over the robes. Mr. Davis keeps them as a testament to the ability of love, truth, and understanding to change lives. I hesitate to call them “trophies,” but that’s kind of what they are.

Really, you are not going to share this article because you believe the phrasing of the title to be unprofessional? Wow! You are joking right? :/
If you aren’t joking, then may I suggest that when you post the article you explain that you think the phrasing of the title Is unprofessional but wanted to share the article.
Unprofessional!! Hahaha you’re funny!

I am sure Davis is a fine fellow, but this story rests on the false premise that anyone who joins the Klan did it for hatred of Blacks rather than love of and desire to protect their own race. I am certain there are as many or more klansmen who found Davis an agreeable fellow, but chose to continue the klan’s work in defense of White, Christian America.

As much as I would like to punch a Klansman in the face, this article shows just how LISTENING and keeping calm as well as COMMUNICATING can change the world. Ignorance breeds stupidity and hate. Listen up, world.

,May i get an explanation on how this grand drangon, in this section of the article (below) can have a police uniform after being prison numerous times???
thats a fiction mistake not factual unless he was a cop before his arrest and kept his uniform. Unlikely

Davis also became close with Robert
White, a Grand Dragon in the KKK. “I
respect someone’s right to air their views
whether they are wrong or right,” Davis
says. “Robert White was a Grand Dragon
who had gone to prison numerous times.
I said I wanted to interview him for my
book. At first, he was very violent and
very hateful but we talked for a long
time. Over time, he began thinking about
a lot of things he had done and said that
were wrong. He quit the Klan. Toward
the end he said he would follow me to
hell and back. …and he gave me his robe
and hood, and his police uniform.”

You do know that police uniforms can be purchased, right? For the right price you can have an authentic badge made and it really isn’t all that difficult to get all the bits and pieces for the belt…. so it doesn’t really matter if White went to prison or not….

This is a great article and it is wonderful what Mr. Davis is doing. Though there is not much to be found humorous when it comes to the klan, I always have to ask myself, “How many of the klansmen nowadays or even back when they were a much more intense and dangerous group know the actual “roots” of their private club?” It has been perverted and trampled into something unrecognizable to what the founders expected and wanted. The klan started as a group of men of many different races and their main concerns were making sure that men were productive and christian members of society. they went after men that beat and abused their wives and children, men who cheated and sinned against his fellow man. All they wanted was to make society better after everything had been torn apart in our nation, and it was by getting rid of heathens…not getting rid of anyone that wasn’t white. Mr. Davis is doing a great thing to try and undo the horrible intity that through ignorance and perversion is what is known today as the KKK.

On the town square in Missouri where we went to school I was approached by a klan member in uniform. He told me ” we know about you Baha’is thinking people are all one”. This was 1978. I told him ” my wife and I just got back from Iran, and next to the mullahs there, you guys are amatures ! He walked away. Even last week 14 homes in one city there were attacked and Baha’is were told to leave their homes or face knife attacks. Btw mr Davis is a great musician and keeps the blues alive.

What a better world if there were more wonderful people like Daryl Davis. I totally agree with his comment when he said “ignorance breeds fear. If you don’t keep that fear in check, that fear will breed hatred. If you don’t keep hatred in check it will breed destruction.”

God said follow peace with all men holiness without no man can see the Lord. God wants us to live peacefully with all men regardless of our color. Before we can see Jesus the one who died on Calvary we must be born again and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues as the spirit gives us utterance. And we want have to worry about killing, stealing, or destroying someone that we can never give life to. God came that we might have life and life more abundantly…. My God bless all that the ones the curse you and give them an opportunity to ask for forgiveness for their sin…….

I wonder if he ever “hooks-up” with the klansman. Like, he keeps their robes, meets them in random motels, they become “friends”… Call me crazy but I think they might all be playing some ‘colorful’ games of hide the pickle(s) behind closed doors. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I have the utmost respect for Mr. Davis. He truly shows forgiveness. However, I still cannot abide the thought of anyone feeling those robes. I am not such a good person, my memories as a child and as a white child will always be filled with the utmost disgust towards the klansmen and I vividly remember their weekly meetings wen all of the neighbors would turn out to wave them on as they set out for whatever evil they were up to. I do understand that blind ignorance plays a great factor but even as a little child I was filled with contempt and it has never gone away.

Althea, thank you for comments. I too have memories of the klansmen involving many of the towns people. I do not remember weekly meetings but do remember being invovled in specfic horrific violence as a small child. I experience ptsd from it.

Lol, I was called a Babylon whore for not wearing the headscarf. Just because I am a Muslima and do not necessarily honor this tradition does not make me a whore. Not claiming to be holier than thou either. #yyy

I agree with Noah. I see it, metaphorically, as a “shell” that the person has come out of. They are no longer afraid and they don’t need it. Perhaps Davis, holding onto it, has a symbol of the shells he has seen removed in order to let understanding and friendship in.

EXCELLENT article about an excellent man. Most people–Black, White–whatever–are fearful of that which they are foreign to. Once they familiarize themselves with that person or that thing–it’s a different story.

I am a white woman and when my children’s school was being intergraded in Louisiana all my neighbors did not want to send their children to school because they thought their kids would be knifed. I told them mine were going to school and they caught the bus and when my kids returned from school unharmed they decided to send their kids the next day.

After my run ins with the KKK I get PTSD reading this. I made myself read it all, and I am glad this man was this brave. Years ago when I locked horns with them I ended up with blood on my hands and the knowledge that I was not brave enough not to as violent as they were…but then I was trying to save a friend’s life.

Wonder if Christains and Muslims could do this? I wish we could sit down and have a dialog. I am a convert to Islam by looking at me at first glance you would not judge me as a muslim, because I do not necessarily conform to wearing the head scarf or hijab. Its my personal belief yet so many have attempted to throw me under the bus or unfriend me because of my views.

I wish so too Raquel. I met many fine Muslims when I was in Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm. However, they are not the ones who advocate for a world-wide caliphate, cut off the heads of jews, or want to force conversion or death on non-muslims. This type of radicalism cannot be tolerated or lived with. One cannot coexist with people who want to subjugate or kill you.

Why in the world do you think this dialogue hasn’t already occurred?!? In this the west, for the most part, Christians and Muslims get a long fine. Sure, you’ll find a few exceptions, but they are just that – exceptions. It is in the middle east where the slaughter is. But even in some of those countries, Muslims will occasionally protect Christians from their more violent counterparts. Egypt for example. Christians in the west have been protecting Muslims for decades with the freedom of religion and our enforcement of those laws. What we need is the same respect in the middle east – freedom of religion. A freedom that will allow Christians AND moderate Muslims (since the moderate Muslims are being slaughtered also). That hasn’t existed since the Muslim conquest of the middle east though. 1200 years its been. The nations of the west have gotten rid of their slavery laws. Its time for the same respect.

well raquel, I had lunch with a muslim the other day. we talked about weird bands and computer stuff as we usually do….and about how the food kinda sucked there. and about george bush’s cat paintings. then again we could give a crap what each other’s beliefs are 😀 People should try it. Except if it’s a Klanboy or someone determined to think stupid things about a whole group of people – then I think Davis has the right idea – hit them head on with reality.

I am truly surprised. I am white and my initial reaction to Klan members is to hang them just as hung innocent Afro-Americans were hung by those white varmints. I know violence only begets violence and we must all come to understand why people pick up preduides like against a whole race religion or creed or political affiliation.s

THE TRUTH IS WE ARE ALL MIXED RACE…THE WORD OF GOD STATES WE WERE CREATED IN HIS (GOD’S) IMAGE…I FEEL THESE MEETING WITH KKK WAS NOT BY CHANCE I FEEL THIS WAS ORDAINED BY GOD…THINGS DON’T JUST HAPPEN….

Ooh yes there are still around, and some of there views are being implemented in our politics today, I do have hope for this great country of mind, and I always will. Great read ,you are truly a begetter man then I’ll ever be.

What a great article. I am going to get this bookm. I am curently reading a book by Isabel Wilkerson, The Warmth of Other Suns. Its about the Great Migration from the South to the North of America’s Black citizens. The cast system in place after the Cuvil War and the way people treated each other because of color is almost unbelieveable. It us difficult to fathom that people can be so ignorant.

You will love the book. A friend hipped me to Isabel’s book and I couldn’t put it down. So many things made so much sense – how and why did people choose those places to move to – Detroit, Philadelphia, L.A. Oakland Wisconsin? Because that was the direct line from where they lived in the south. Enjoy the book

This story was truly inspiring. Most people I know would get into a serious fight with a Klan member or, at best, made a mockery of them or otherwise tried to humiliate them. But instead, this man had the courage to befriend Klansmen and, in so doing, use love rather than hate to defeat the Klan.

This was a very good article. I really enjoyed it. I love hearing about impacts people make everyday. It may seem small to others but I am from Louisiana close to some klans and I think he did a really good job. It’s not a bad as it use to be, but everyone knows that they are still around. I wish him well on his endeavors.

I don’t understand the mentality of the Klan it just doesn’t make sense to me. If they really are true Protestants that claim to believe in the Bible and true followers in Christ they would believe or live the life of hatred, racism, prejudice and discrimination that they do. For one Christ preaches love of everyone even your enemies, two Christ was Jewish, and three Christ was middle-eastern so the Klan’s mentality to hate Jews and people of color just does not make sense. Also, I believe this man keeps the robs and hoods as a reminder of what sitting down and just talking to someone(an enemy) can achieve and possibly also as a reminder of history. If we don’t keep reminders of our history or we don’t learn history then we are doomed to repeat it.

A friend in the early 80’s said to me once that for a white guy from small town Wisconsin, I wasn’t as racist as he thought I might be. To which I replied I didn’t know enough black people to make an informed opinion, fast forward thirty years I still haven’t made up my mind. So Ernest Clay, if you are still out there thanks for making me think a lot before making up my mind.

I think for him it symbolizes a friend who has changed on to the right path. and as long as he has them, he can always think of them. If he burns them, he may forget, he seems to have a lot of them(20+). But as long as he does, he cant forget. that is my guess.

I understand your concern, but he even says, they’re just material, they’re just a symbol. Calling them evil and full of hate gives the robes and hood more power than by keeping them. It’s almost the same reason why people carry crosses on their neck, what once was a symbol of death and pain, is now a symbol of life and hope.

Daryl Davis use to play our swing dances back in the day. I remember meeting someone out in Denver who knew him and asked, “Have you read Daryl’s book?” Didn’t have a clue what he was talking about until I tracked one down. Got Daryl to sign it the next time I saw him. Given Jerry Lee Lewis’ comments on black people I’m surprised Daryl would call him a friend. Maybe he’s converting him too? Here’s hoping Daryl converts both black and white bigots into people who are at least more tolerant of others. Time to switch dance floor partners, Daryl!

Being born (during the 50s) and raised in the South meant that I heard racial slurs on a regular basis; except at home and that’s why I am not racist today. My mother, who was also a Southerner, did not allow any of us, even my father, to utter hateful words about anyone of a different race. It’s starts at home.

I grew up in a house with my father and uncle, them being raised during the 50’s and being racist as all hell. My dad still opposes interracial dating, and my uncle once tried to run over a black man for god knows what. Yet I am not racist.
Just saying your ‘starts at home’ argument isn’t concrete.
Some people just choice to hate.

I certainly commend him of his work, As a white businessman, I know racism is with us in Los Angeles. The small company where I worked was forced to hire a black person because of our government contracts. Th lady did a swell job, but was fire exactly 6 weeks later. It was necessary for he to be there 6 weeks for us to “get our ticket punched ” with the US Government. We knew it was going to happen, and it was heartbreaking to see here work so hard to impress management, but we knew it was a lost cause.

You could still report this to local or federal authorities. It might not change your company’s practice, or get that deserving employee’s job back, but I think individual voices really matter for systemic change –especially white voices. I worked for a company that did the same thing and I never said anything about it. I know that I was a part of it, I was complacent and thereby condoned it. And if the world is going to fall apart it shouldn’t be because I played along. It was ten years ago and feel horrible about it to this day.

Racism is controlled by the media. If we stuck together the government would be more intimidated and afraid of the people… we are brainwashed into believing that we hate each other and that why our government does the stuff that it does like tax you to death and try to take away you constitutional rights….. wake up people.

Yeah, 90% of views that end in “wake up people” are silly and wrong. No need to blame the evil within us on Big Government or media or any other conspiracy – we are responsible for own actions, and we are quiet capable of being evil without any help from others. Fallen world and all that.

Racism of the sort personified by the KKK has always been regional (the South), but the patina of racism was always thick no matter where you might find yourself.So the 1965 riots in L.A., Calif., were kind of a surprise, but not unexpected if you knew the facts; for twenty or more years (before 1965), there was the Communist Party agitating for civil rights in their usual poisonous manner in the black community, south L.A., Watts, etc. White radicals, so plentiful in the 1960’s in Southern California, along w/the usual suspects who were black radicals provided the catalyst for the Watts riots. The pretext was a stop by police of a driver committing some minor infraction.

Not quite sure why you would call it that. If no one makes the first step, nothing in this world will change. I grew up like him, overseas. I am black and I didn’t see any racism until I got back here. I didn’t hunt down Klansmen to make friends with. But if someone was overtly racist, I would engage them and discuss where it stemmed from. Mostly it is a learnt behavior. And once you disprove those learnt behaviors, they become better people and then they spread what they have learned onto others. That is just my experience. It doesn’t work for everyone…..

Kesele, you sound pretty fearful. What other way will you reach racists? Or are you better than them? At the end of the day, you fail to see them as people. You see them as monsters and for that reason, you lash out at anyone who can show you otherwise. I was never raised to regard anyone differently as my parents have lived in the South, Africa, and Europe, but having been around a fair share of racists, both white and black, the majority were not monsters. They were confused, ignorant, and usually scarred (hurt) people who revert to dumb archetypes to simplify a screwed up world. Dialogue is the best solution.

Romans 12:20-21: Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Each racist we meet is one more opportunity to prove those backwards ideas to be wrong. Make friends and you won’t believe how much people can change.

I truly amazed that some people intejected Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson into the conversation…what do they have to do with this?? By the way they are NOT representatives of or for the entire black community. Bad people do bad things becaise they make that choice…not because of their race or nationality. I’m so glad to be living in a foreign country where my family can just be peacefully oblivious to the overt and covert raxism in the US…granted it’ll only be temporary…but now I nderstand why people become expatriates…can people just be positive about positive things???

The thing that’s so very sad to me is that there were a couple of commenters whose only takeaway from this inspiring story was the opportunity to point out perceived spelling/grammatical errors. An amazing message was simply lost on these individuals who, ironically, believe they are smarter or better than others based on their self-proclaimed editing ability (which, apparently, is not as stellar as they thought). If you stopped reading when you encountered what you thought was a grammatical error, it’s a real shame, because you probably really need the message this article conveys. To the author: thank you for this well-written piece of literature. s a woman of mixed race who has needed to convince the families of half the white men I’ve ever dated that I wasn’t going to steal the silverware when they left the room, this article made my day.

Excellent story and an extraordinary man. Thank you. Luckily, Mr. Davis had the temerity, patience, knowledge, AND street smarts to be quick with a response and able to so effectively teach lessons to these racists. Actually, most people do not have these qualities, though some can learn by educating themselves. Unfortunately, most people will not sit and talk. They will run away, or worse, stay silent and thereby leave an impression of culpability or agreement.

“The past participle of the irregular verb ‘to run’ can take the same form as its past tense.” Also, it would be great if the self-proclaimed English experts who are commenting would actually learn the acceptable tenses of irregular verbs.

“The past participle of the irregular verb”…are you kidding me??? After reading such an enlightening article, the last thing anyone is interested in is an English lesson. I always enjoy reading the comments of others to see how our perceptions of one topic can vary so much. We have spell check, no excuse for misspelled words, but until they invent grammer check, leave it alone and give me your perception. Not one word about a faith restoring human being

The State Department should send Mr. Davis to the Middle East. His approach with no preconditions is what is needed there in talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. Mutual ignorance of the unknown can be overcome by taking the time to get to know each other. Can’t hurt- every other attempt has failed miserably.

This article is awesome wonderful to read. Daryl is a wonderful peace maker, & Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace makers, for they will inherit the kingdom of heaven.”. Surly Daryl will be blessed by God!

However, Mr. Jackson (I refuse to call him Reverend because he is not a man of God), & Mr. Sharpton will likely inherit Hades because they are agitators promoting resentment hate, & violence.

It would be wonderful if Daryl could initiate & encourage the people who are playing that horrible game, ‘knock them down’ to stop. It would be nice if Mr Daryl could help black people to stop blaming all whites for their problems. It’s all individual, & discriminations are everywhere, and affects everyone, in some form or other. Color & race should no longer be an issue, but attitudes are & always has been. It is attitudes that needs adjustments by blacks & whites, Hispanics, Asians, Muslims, Irish & Brittish, Greeks & Turks, Etc., etc., etc!

So, God Himself told you that Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton are not men of His? Because you disagree with some of the things they stood for, and continue to stand for does not make give you the discernment necessary to determine their spiritual standing with God. Not that I would wish it upon anyone, regardless if I agree with their opinions and actions or not, but be sure that YOU don’t wind up in the HELL that you wish upon others by your thoughts, words and/or deeds. Be Blessed.

“It would be nice if Mr Daryl could help black people to stop blaming all whites for their problems. It’s all individual, & discriminations are everywhere, and affects everyone, in some form or other.”
Ah yes: when in doubt, create false equivalences and write a variation on the theme of “Well, everyone’s a little bit racist.” After all, that vague group of racist black people blaming “all whites” for their problems? If you completely ignore US history, what they’re doing is no different from being a Klansman.

“It’s all individual”
This statement simply means that you not only ignore America’s colorful history of institutional racism, but also choose to ignore racism as a social phenomenon.

I do believe hate is learnt and that love can conquer all…it’s just that the road to understanding is filled with so many road blocks, ruts, and broken bridges. This story is where we all need to be at….using facts to lead people to understanding. I think Buddy Guys’ “Skin Deep” says it all in a song…this fellow is taking it a step further in his actions!

I yearn for the day that when whites read articles by African Writers they will overcome the urge to correct grammar and spelling. Remember, just a little over a hundred years ago, reading was against the law for us. Just read the damn article. Reading was never forbidden for whites yet George Washington was illiterate.

I yearn for the day people don’t make stuff up to try to prove a point. George Washington was NOT illiterate! Where did you come up with that load of (garbage)? Washington’s collection at the Library of Congress has over 65,000 documents, most of which are his own writings. He was extremely well read, even for a wealthy Virginian. What are you trying to prove with that crock of bull? Get your facts straight. Most people don’t personally need more than a hundred years to learn to read and write correctly. And spell check works no matter the color of your skin.

I’m going to have to agree. There are immigrants who hold greater mastery of American English than American born blacks. If they can do it, we are more than capable. I too am tired of the lame excuses and low expectations for black people, by black people.

David McGee: That’s all you got out of the article? You’re also wrong about “boy’s.” The bar would be a bar for A “good ol’ boy.” Therefore, “boy” is singular and that is what I intended. Also, please review the rules for tense and transitive verbs before spouting incorrect corrections. No thanks, we don’t need your editing “help.”

“Most people in this day and age probably would have turned and ran right out of that good ol’ boy’s bar, but not Davis.”

Turned and RUN right out that good ol’ BOYS’ bar. Not turned and RAN right out that good ol’ BOY’S bar. “Run,” not “ran,” and apostrophe AFTER the “S” in “boys,” not before, because it’s plural. Please, get someone to edit these articles or let me do it for you. I’ll freaking do it for free. I stopped reading at that point because I don’t want to be confronted with such poor education when I’m reading a professional article.

Run means that you’re currently doing the action of running, AKA, Present Tense. Ran is the past tense. Since this sentence is in the Past Tense, ran is the proper form of the word to be used.

The apostrophe after the ‘Y’ is appropriate because it is stating ownership of being a boy’s bar. Several people cannot own the same thing. If it’s hard for you to figure out whether or not it is correct, try pronouncing it out loud to yourself. Boyses doesn’t sound right at all.

Several people cannot own the same thing? What kind of crap is that?
• “The girl entered the boys’ clubhouse.” The clubhouse is owned by some boys.
• “I broke my brothers’ record player.” The record player is owned by all three of my brothers.
• “There was a burglary at my parents’ house.” The house is owned by both of my parents.
• “Let’s go to the boys’ bar.” The bar is jointly owned by the boys.

Yes, run is present tense and ran is past tense. Correct, professor! But “would have run” is a little something called past participle. Learn it, as this is in fact a big part of the English language and many other languages for that matter.

Do you really “proof” your speech as you speak? When you recount anecdotes, do you make sure you speak “properly”? Slang is prevalent in all walks of life. To call one out on the use of slang, when recounting an anecdote, and in turn imply poor education is presumptuous and misses the point of the post entirely. Getthecorncoboutchaearboy! Mighthelpyalistenbetta!

Dear Great White Dragon,
It seems, (considering the article), your comment is not well taken by ALL followers who are garbed in white dresses and veils, and/or Halloween costumes to hide their faces. It seems that some have “come out” and changed their way of thinking.
I am one who believes in marriage and relationships needing to be kept to my own race (which is Caucasian), but that is for me alone. Just because I have chosen that for myself, does not mean I look down on other races. Beyond that, I believe that a few “bad” people in every race, make it “bad” for the entire race. The human race loves to generalize and categorize everything and everybody. The extremists, in each race, perpetuate bigotry, racism, and hatred … and then wonder why race relations are so bad. I see this daily, on the Internet/social media. If all of us STOP blaming each other and START watching the words that come from our mouths and from our typing fingers, MAYBE, just maybe we will be the generation that overcomes the bitterness.
Remember: If you want to stir the sh!t pot, then you should have to lick the spoon!!

(Quoting the article)
“This Klansman and I were riding around in my car and the topic of crime came up. He made the remark that all black people had a gene that makes us violent. I said ‘Gary, what are you talking about?’ He said ‘Who’s doing all the shootings?’ I said ‘let me tell you something, I am as black as anyone you’ve ever seen and I’ve never done a drive by or a shooting.’ After a time I said ‘you know, it’s a fact that all white people have within them a gene that makes them serial killers. Name me three black serial killers.’ He could not do it. I said ‘you have the gene. It’s just latent.’ He said ‘well that’s stupid’ I said ‘it’s just as stupid as what you said to me.’ He was very quiet after that and I know it was sinking in.”
(End quote)

I know, in no way, will I be able to change the way you feel by one simple post … I’m not trying to. But, maybe … just one person will read the article, and the comments, and then understand their own part in the perpetuation of hatred.

Have a great day, and be careful not to trip over the hem of your dress.

This is what needs to happen more. If people could sit and talk and interact with eachother without throw race or religion or social status into the equation this would be a much better place for us all to live in. However this will not come to light when its eclipsed by the shadow of fear/misunderstanding. This won’t change if stories like these aren’t heard, I only found this article because a friend shared it on facebook and it showed up in my newsfeed. PUT THIS MAN ON THE QUEEN LATIFA SHOW, HAVE OPRAH ENDORSE HIS BOOK!!!!!! This story should be shared in the school system for god sake.

err… the whole point is that he sat and discussed race with the former klansmen. the author and the former klansmen became friends precisely because the author challenged their racial biases. not talking about race with members of the races the klansmen were averse to is one of the reasons why racism prevails.

Music created the opportunity for the dialogue and dialogue created the opportunity. To slightly misquote KRS-1, “the only place in life where you see Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech in action is music (KRS originally said hip-hop, but point still stands). Music truly is the universal language. It truly is one of the greatest manifestations of the divine on this planet. Only something as great or greater that the miracle of music could have made this article even possible.

That is an amazing and inspirational article. Mr. Davis is very brave, but really he shows us ALL what we are capable of if we just learn to understand each other. Racism is a complex issue though, and many racists – Klanspeople or not – have friends from different races but still harbor prejudicial feelings about other races as a whole. Older racists will say things like, “She’s OK, she’s not like other blacks…” or “I am not [racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, etc.] because I have [black, gay, Jewish, etc.] friends.” It’s complex, and becoming accepting of a handful of members from a different race does not always alleviate all of the underlying prejudice in someone.

I agree! I’m glad a person actually made a difference using communication and understanding instead of violence to improve relations between those two races. It may be unbelievable at first after what the KKK had done to the blacks, but I can see after reading this article, things will gradual positively change between blacks and members of the KKK. I’m glad that musician made a difference! Kudos to him!

Wonderful and heartwarming article. One person can make a difference – and can do so with communication and understanding instead of violence and strident rhetoric. We should all take note and be more aware of how our actions and attitudes can either build up or break down stereotypes and hate.

Today this practice extends to businesses all over the Indian subcontinent, which mark the day after Diwali as the first day of the new financial year. Indians celebrate with family gatherings, glittering clay lamps, festive fireworks, strings of electric lights, bonfires, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship to Lakshmi.